National League 2018

That was fantastic on Sunday. We know it was a dead rubber league match in March, but as one of my friends here in Dublin said, the Dubs hate to lose, especially in Croke Park.

The composure shown in Newbridge Blayney and Inniskeen was there again.

Team were v unlucky to lose to Mayo and were staring to really turn the screw in Pearse Stadium only for that little rush of blood from Fintan.

I can't remember a better league campaign, and all done when trying lots of new players. We've now got a new established full back and midfielder allowing Drew out the pitch and Kieran Hughes into the forwards.

We've a strong bench, and scoring options in the forwards.

We were only the second team to beat Dublin since 2014 the other being Kerry. There are only a handful of teams in the country even capable of beating Dublin these days.

Tyrone in Omagh is coming up fast, and that match will take on a life all its own.

But for now, let's enjoy that campaign in the top flight, the wins over Kerry & Dublin including Jack's superb instinctive goal at Croker.

Oh and back to Fintan Kelly - way to go to put the Galway moment to bed, a score that will live long in the memory and one that brought back reminders of days like that in the mid 80s.......

Great day and a great win. The major positive for me was the composure shown in the last few minutes. Twice they equalized and twice we calmly went up the field, not helter-skelter like in previous tight big Croker games, but probing from side to side until the right opportunity presented itself. Exactly the type of patience and composure we've lacked before. Can only bring this team on and give them great confidence.

On the flip side, Dublin made so many simple handling errors and gifted us a lot of turnover ball in great positions, which led to scores especially in the first half. That won't happen so easily again. But we took the goals really well and did what we had to do to win. Thought Rory was exceptional and another big game from Karl who was everywhere.

As others have said here we've serious strength in depth now and a few young players are starting to make their mark. When you think of Kerry being in transition and Mayo potentially going backwards, if we can beat Tyrone in Omagh we could give the big cup a fair rattle!

Finally as PearseBro has said what a response from Fintan Kelly to his mistake against Galway. Class is permanent.